WAITING

The year is nearly over, and it is

going out with a roar. It has not

been the best of times nor the

worst of times. Without getting

into the litany, I will just say that

whatever pain and suffering I

endured I offered as my attempt

to share in the carrying of the

cross of Jesus. Who am I to complain

when we have people starving in Haiti

and when locusts ate the crops of

several eastern countries in Africa,

and when Christians were murdered

or tortured for believing in their faith,

and when we had dictators enslaving

their citizens to control them. These

people have endured much more

then I can imagine. I do not have

a bucket list, but I do have a list of

things I wish to do this coming year.

I want to respect the people with

whom I encounter, do good work

and show love and compassion,

 improve my community, help

those in need and be kind to

everyone and less critical of others.

Today as I look out the window

and see the tree branches waving

and the waves tossing water on

the snow mountains, under the

gray sky I think my goals are hefty,

but when the sun comes back shining

they will seem simple and not enough.

There will be time to add to my list,

God willing, and I will gladly do so.

In the meantime, I pray for strength,

and my fellow man

Stanski

December 28, 2022, ^